Considering how low rez the models are they might be able to adapt it for real time stuff as well. I could see it being used for simulations and things like google maps.
This is called photogrametry for those that are interested. Nothing new really. You can already do this in all the major 3d apps although it's a pain compared to apps made to do properly. Just load up a 3/4 view picture as an image plane match your grid and fov to the distortion of the pic, use the ground as reference. Then model some shit. I guess the fancy part is how it animates your camera based on the video. Two times I know of this technique being used is in the matrix part 1 the rooftop bullet dodge scene, all the environment surrounding neo is modeled and textured this way. And fight night round 3 the warehouse and other environments were modeled and textured this way.
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Looks like they've been playing around with using it for games as well as arch/vis and film.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXpp60QYxXk[/ame]